A-List Guide to the Inauguration Parties

WHEN aides to President Obama announced that there would be only two official inaugural balls this weekend — the fewest in recent memory — Washington insiders and veteran partygoers shrugged.

And it wasn’t because the first couple remain relatively detached from the social life of the nation’s capital.

Everyone knows that the best inauguration parties aren’t the government balls but the private fetes that fill museums and restaurants, tie up car services, throw caterers and celebrity wranglers into high gear, and turn Washington into something like Fashion Week or the Oscars for the style challenged.

“The official balls are for people coming in from out of town,” said Kevin Chaffee, an editor of Washington Life, the society magazine. “Visitors have to go home and say they attended one. But old Washington hands know to go to smaller parties that will be well done.”

Or as Diana McLellan, the retired society columnist put it, “People spend a lot of money and time getting dressed to go, but even the best official balls are enormous scrums.” In particular, she remembers the one (and only one) given by Jimmy Carter, which was called a “party” rather than a “ball” to assuage recessionary guilt. It was in Union Station before it was renovated.

“And all there was to eat were peanuts,” she said. “It was like going to hell.”

Well, nobody ever said Washington was an easy town. That’s especially true during fiscally tricky times, which may explain the difficulties that the president’s inaugural committee had raising $50 million for festivities, after the most expensive presidential race in history.

Nor is the capital in a particularly jolly mood — what with all the fiscal drama, contested appointments and a Congress so embittered that it makes the one depicted in “Lincoln” look like a garden club. And let’s not overlook the fact that second inaugurations should be more subdued, “a little bit like a second wedding” according to The Washington Post Magazine.

Photo

An adoring crowd with the Obamas at the Youth Ball, Jan. 20, 2009.Credit
Doug Mills/The New York Times

But never mind. Even with fewer attendees expected, and the news this week that the Washington power couple Tony and Heather Podesta are divorcing, it’s still a festive week for all kinds of party animals, especially of the Democratic persuasion. Here’s a selective and highly curated list.

1. HOT LIST

The power brokers atop the invitation should be a tip off — Buffy and Bill Cafritz, Ann and Vernon Jordan, Vicki and Roger Sant — for one of the most coveted tickets in town. Their 2009 edition was so star-studded — Tim Geithner here, Tom Brokaw, Ben Bradlee and Eli Broad there — that the Clintons couldn’t make it 10 feet past the door. And at least one movie star, an organizer claimed, was turned away. It wasn’t Glenn Close. She was inside.

With tickets starting at $10,000 a pair, expect the Creative Coalition’s Inaugural Ball to attract high-rollers and notable names, even if not quite like in 2009. The Goo Goo Dolls play this time for guests including Paula Abdul, Eric Stonestreet, John Leguizamo, Giancarlo Esposito and Johnny Galecki. Oh, and Tim Daly, too. He’s the president — of the Creative Coalition, that is.

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden headline the Kid’s Inaugural concert, hosted by the presidential inauguration committee and held in honor of military families. Expected guests include Alicia Keys, the cast of “Glee,” Katy Perry and Marc Anthony. Mindless Behavior (the boy band) is also on the roster. A prediction of the days to follow?

While there are only two official balls, there’s no shortage of state society balls.And veterans know that these state balls have more food, drink and chances to hobnob with members of Congress. The standout is the Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Texas State Society of Washington, which promises six stages with performers, and truckloads of Texan food and drink. Gowns for women and tuxedos and boots for men suggested. Cowboy hats optional.

Google is toning things down from its 2009 inaugural bash, which featured dancing, a game room and big names like Ben Affleck, John Cusack and Craig Newmark (of Craigslist). This time, the search engine (which has a big legislative agenda) is partnering with Elle and the Center for American Progress for a Leading Women in Washington brunch, toasting the record number of new congresswomen, many of whom are expected to attend. No binders full of women here, just the real thing.

Video

A Look Ahead to Obama’s Inauguration

David Leonhardt, the Washington bureau chief, hosts a preview of President Obama’s second inauguration. Reports from Washington, Chicago and California.

Last fall, activists took the Kennedy Center to task for only including two Hispanics — Plácido Domingo and Chita Rivera — among its 186 honorees since 1978. Now a committee has been formed to address the issue. By happy coincidence (or is it?), Latinos take center stage for “In Performance at the Kennedy Center,” hosted by Eva Longoria and others. Lineup includes Antonio Banderas, Rosario Dawson, Raúl Esparza, José Feliciano, Melanie Griffith, George Lopez, Rita Moreno and Ms. Rivera. Picante!

At the 2009 Peace Ball, Joan Baez sang “Forever Young.” This time around, sentiments may not be as hopeful. Still the ball, which is organized by Busboys and Poets, a much-loved Washington community bookstore and cafe, offers this cynical and compromising town a progressive and idealistic vision of tomorrow. Guests include Angela Davis, Amy Goodman, Ralph Nader, Alice Walker, Marian Wright Edelman and Danny Glover. Moby spins, too.

Nancy Pelosi, always gracious at parties, will be the main attraction at the 2013 Speaker’s Cabinet Inauguration Luncheon and Concert, hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. But Cyndi Lauper, in town to perform at the Human Rights Campaign LGBT celebration the following night as well, will be the entertainment (along with John Legend).

Even yogis are getting into the spirit of things with the Yoga Ball, sponsored by Off the Mat Into the World, and Yoga Votes, which promotes voting between oms and sun salutations. The evening includes asana yoga, a vegetarian dinner, music and meditation. Dress: spiritual.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be out and about, and no doubt at the Illinois Society State Ball on Saturday night. Mr. Emanuel is also hosting a Chicago-style after-party at the Hamilton (600 14th Street, NW). Co-hosts include Matthew Barzun (former United States ambassador to Sweden), Eva Longoria, Jim Messina and Julianna Smoot. Around the corner at the W hotel (515 15th Street NW), Electronic Arts is hosting an after party to promote an organization called Learn. Build.Create. It’s with Pharrell Williams, John Legend and Malin Akerman, along with Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles. Both are invitation only, with doors opening at 11 p.m – unimaginably late – by D.C. standards.

A version of this article appears in print on January 17, 2013, on page E1 of the New York edition with the headline: Inaugural Invitations To Covet, 2013. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe